Break The Gridlock!

ANSWER Chicago ("Act Now to Stop War and End Racism") is a generally progressive group that has been one of the main organizers of anti-war and pro-immigrant demonstrations in Chicago in the last few years.  They unfortunately have become yet another example of accidental and misguided pro-car activism.  Recently, they opined on the issues of parking and parking rates:

http://www.chicagoanswer.net/ParkingMeter.htm

Today, the date the General Motors bankruptcy was announced, Michael Moore released letter entitled "Goodbye, GM ...by Michael Moore". In the letter, he recognizes the problem the private automobile is having on our society. Micheal Moore says of cars: "To continue to build them would only lead to the ruin of our species and much of the planet." He then editorializes on his suggested changes to national policy on in the wake of the event.

Break The Gridlock is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a 501c3 designation by the I.R.S. This designation allows us to now accept charitable donations on behalf of our Member Organizations. Additionally, we can now begin our Individual Membership program allowing those who have a philosophical agreement with Break The Gridlock to add their voice to ours and provide us with the financial support necessary to continue and expand our service offerings to our Member Organizations.

Family, friends and community members will unite to install a “ghost bike” to memorialize the death of Logan Square resident Blanca Ocasio on the one-year anniversary of her tragic September 2007 death. The installation is to take place at the intersection of Armitage Ave. and Kedzie Boulevard on Chicago’s northwest side.

On Friday August 15, 2008, members of Break the Gridlock will lead a group bike ride to a screening of the award winning film "Kilowatt Ours" at Café Catedral, 2500 S. Christiana, in the Little Village neighborhood. The ride will gather at the Logan Square monument at the intersection of Kedzie Blvd. and Milwaukee Ave. at 5:30pm and leave at 5:45pm. The slowest rider will determine the pace.

View the press release for details about the film and event

Break the Gridlock is sponsoring a semi-formal discussion relating to getting "our" message out to the media, at the New World Resource Center, 1300 N. Western Ave, on Thursday May 29 from 7 to 9 PM.

The discussion is borne of recent media focus on the safety of cycling in Chicago, and will center around how to speak to media to assure our message comes across and avoid being misquoted or misconstrued. We will have Margo O'Hara, communications director of CBF as well as other guests.

Big City Biking

Tuesday, August 5, 2008
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Chicago History Museum
1601 N. Clark

On Feb 8th, 2008 Break The Gridlock will be hosting it's first Show And Tell of 2008.

Friday, February 8th, 2008 7pm - midnight Bloom Inn, 2418 W Bloomingdale Ave [map] Directions & Bike Parking

Free Beer & Food
(compliments of the Velorution Brewing Collective & BTG)

The 100th Anniversary of the Chicago Auto Show opens Friday, and over a million Chicagoans will be attending the week long showcase of America's reckless obsession with the automobile. Sounds like the perfect time to ignore the hype and create a forum for individuals looking for "Appropriate Transportation" solutions.

Why "Appropriate Transportation"? For too long have we used the term "alternative transportation" to describe our for a more sane culture of transportation for Chicago (i.e. cycling, walking, public transportation). This unfairly casts modes of transportation outside of the private automobile to the fringe, when in fact we're trying to make the city better for everyone, hence "appropriate".

BTG's Show & Tell Night is designed to let grassroots appropriate transportation activists and advocates share what they are up to and exchange ideas. We also encourage new commuting cyclists, pedestrians, and public transportation devotees to join us; there are many ways to take your desire for a Car-Free Chicago to the next level in 2008 - GET ACTIVE!

Participation is FREE and refreshments will be provided.

Tentative schedule includes:

• West Town Bikes
• College of Cycling
• Chicago Women on Bikes
• Chicago Green Ride 2008
• Local depaving efforts, including news on (PARK)ing Day 2008 & Burnham Plan Centennial Bike Tour 2009
• The Auto Show Shutdown Festival (happening the next day!)
• Mr Bike seeks to learn whether and how attendees want to learn about the workings (and non-workings) of their governments.
• Harry Wray, Professor of Political Science, DePaul University Author of Pedal Power: The Quiet Rise of the Bicycle in American Public Life

Download 2-up Flyer

We have restructured our website to reflect the ongoing evolution of Break the Gridlock. Our main purpose, which the website is now designed to facilitate, is providing services to our grass roots Member Organizations. Please feel free to offer any feedback. To reach us, see the contact information page.